Latest Gear Live Videos

Apple just posted their latest Guided Tour video, with this one focusing on the upcoming iPhone 3G. Now, we expect to see a lot more of these videos from Apple in the future, just know that they are really focusing on first-time buyers with this one. They spend a lot of time covering everything that was covered in the original iPhone Guided Tour, including the things that haven’t changed all that much. Still, it is cool to get a bit more information on the GPS and to see it in action. All in all, very informative.

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Apple and AT&T have finally been letting those of us in the US in on their iPhone 3G launch plans. As it turns out, unlike last year’s 6:00 PM iPhone launch, the iPhone 3G is going to be available bright and early at 8:00 AM. AT&T confirmed that their stores will be opening at 8:00 sharp to start selling the new iPhone - and it makes sense. Since people need to sign up for lines of service, things may go a bit slower this time around. Oh, also, an 8 AM launch doesn’t mean there will be any less of a line. That line will just grow huge overnight instead of during the afternoon. Break out the sleeping bags!

Here we are, at the tail end of June, and it appears that the iPhone 2.0 firmware is right on schedule to achieve the status of golden master on Friday. According to our friends over at Gizmodo, they have a source inside the iPhone software dev team who let them know that the shipping version of the update will follow build 345. Expect a couple of new encryption and code-signing features.

Now, just because the firmware will be finalized and ready on Friday, that doesn’t necessarily mean that we can expect it to show up in iTunes or anything. During the latest WWDC keynote, Steve Jobs said it would be available in early July. Also, as history has shown us, the final version of firmware can be ready weeks before it is released, as was the case with the iPhone 1.1.3 firmware we got our hands on weeks before it was out. Surprisingly, the build number of the version we had matched that of what shipped.

Anyhow, we look forward to getting our hands on the final version of the 2.0 firmware. We are ready for some App Store goodness, Exchange features, iWork support, and most importantly, Super Monkey Ball.

If you are a two iPod family, or have one and an iPhone, you will appreciate JVC’s Dual Play System. The NX-PN7 portable audio system can play/charge two music players simultaneously. The device features an AM/FM tuner, Sound Turbo, full-range speakers and a multi-color illuminated LED display. At a size of 12-9/16 x 5-7/8 x 6-1/8-inches and a weight of 5.8 lbs., the system has an analog audio input, a headphone output, and comes with remote for a price of $149.99.

Sprint launched its Samsung Instinct this week. It features a touchscreen, fast connectivity, live TV viewing, stereo Bluetooth, and GPS. It also has one-touch access to faves, a 2.0 megapixel cam/camcorder, and expandable microSD memory up to 8GB. If you passed on the iPhone, you can get an Instinct for a mere $129.99 with a 2-year commitment to Sprint and a $100.00 mail-in rebate. Of course, by the time you grab one of their special plans, you can count on at least an extra $70.00 a month, but still…

Gear Live Poll

Will you buy a black or white iPhone 3G?

Black, as it is the new white.

White. I'm old school.

Neither. I'm sticking with my original iPhone.

I don't own an iPhone, and don't plan on buying the 3G either

Submitting ...

So, now that we’ve cleared up the iPhone 3G price confusion (we think), we are curious what you guys will be picking up once the device is unleashed. Apple has moved away from the aluminum-looking backing, instead opting for a glossy black finish on the 8GB iPhone 3G. However, if you opt for the 16GB model, you get a choice between glossy black and glossy white. What say you?

It seems that there is a bunch of confusion surrounding the price of the newly announced iPhone 3G. I spent a while on the phone the other day chatting with my pal Chris Aarons over at Buzz Corps, and we debated how pricing would work. At the end of the conversation, I realized how silly it was that, despite a price being announce on stage at WWDC 2008, that people still weren’t sure if they would be able to get the phone for the $199-299 that was quoted.

So, where does the confusion lie? Well, when dealing with cell phone companies in terms of subsidized phones (and the new iPhone 3G is a subsidized phone,) it all comes down to qualification. Don’t believe us? Head on over to AT&T’s iPhone 3G splash page. Next to the price of the phone, you will see a neat little asterisk. Scroll down to the fine print, and what do you find? The following:

Did you get that? Qualified customers only. And yet, there is no mention of who qualifies. There lies the conundrum. When Steve Jobs announced the price of the iPhone 3G, he made no mention of any sort of qualification that had to be met, and many believed that $199 was the price anyone should expect to pay for the new iPhone. Luckily, InformationWeek was able to get some information out of AT&T’s Mark Siegel, which should help in clearing all this up. Looking at what Siegel had to say, here is what we know to be true:

Specks are back, this time in lots of colors for your iPhone 3G. Available in 6 colors, their PixelSkins are lightweight, rubberized cases with textured matte finishes for gripping and offer port, control, and sensors access. “The introduction of the elegant iPhone 3G has caused an explosion of creativity from our design team,” said Irene Baran, Speck Products’ CEO.

We just thought that maybe the idea came from wanting to share the iPhone 3G love and bucks. Look for the $24.95 PixelSkins to make their debut this July.

Speck is so excited about the Apple unveiling that they have already released two models of cases for the iPhone 3G. The ToughSkin is the cover for klutzes, made of rubber and a textured pattern to keep out bumps and bruises. It will be available in July for $34.95.

The SeeThru shells are for those who want everyone to know that they own an iPhone. The cases have rubberized side strips to save from slipping, and the bottom slides off to double as a stand. Available iSpec Cases for iPhone 3Gn several colors, it will also come out next month for $29.95.